Shock, anger and disbelief as medic shares her story

There have been mixed reactions to Dr Celiwe Dada on social media, who took to TikTok to share about her former marriage in which she financially supported her husband who also, allegedly, abused her.

The medic’s story has sparked various conversations, including the impact of the lack of financial literacy from a young age as well as how some young Christian women sometimes rush to marriage and stay in toxic unions either because of pressure from religious circles or by the zeal to do things according to the book, among others.

Social media platforms have been abuzz with many shocked and angry South Africans questioning how she stayed in the relationship, with an unemployed man who demanded a lavish lifestyle.

Dr Dada met her husband at church while she was still a medical student.

She says their relationship was good until her husband, who had a barbershop, crashed their family car that she had been paying for while she walked to work.

The medical doctor revealed that, during their union, she purchased two luxury vehicles for the barber, paying at least R23k in monthly instalments for one of the cars, and his rental in the city while she stayed with the children in rural areas, near her place of work. She ended up in financial dire straits while also enduring alleged abuse from the man.

@dr..celiwe.dada yoh! this is going to be too long#fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #seperatedmomoftiktok☺ #viral #fyp #satiktok🇿🇦 #domesticabuseawareness #singleSeperatedMom ♬ original sound – Dr. Celiwe Dada

Dr  Dada says when she finally refused to fund her former husband’s lavish lifestyle, he left her.

She says her fortunes have turned around amid her divorce process.

The young medic has admitted to having enabled her former lover and says she decided to tell her story to show other women who are experiencing what she went through that they too can rebuild their lives.

While some people have expressed shock over her tale, others have slammed her, saying she prioritised status over financial stability.

Other social media users have, however, commended her for working on herself; owning up to her misjudgments and having the guts to start over.

Dr Celiwe Dada should be ashamed of herself, she would rather buy her husband a Mercedes Benz then her Parents who educated her till went to University, She could have funded her own family then pay R23k installment a month for a man who today has left her with 3 kids disgusting pic.twitter.com/jjauUdceX3

— IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) March 17, 2025

So about the Dr Celiwe Dada saga..

Where are those useless boys who forever ask “what are you bringing to the table”…. She brought the whole table, chairs and fruits for dessert..

Now what!!! 😂😂🚮

— Meta (@ChinaBerry_) March 18, 2025

I fear women like Dr Celiwe, getting married to a foreigner u don’t have any background, and he might be a serial killer on the run from his country, and u see a husband, yoooh. U can call S.A men “trash” it’s fine than marrying a curse.

— Mavuso (@Mavuso___) March 18, 2025

I was feeling sorry for Dr Celiwe until I heard the husband is Nigerian. Serves her right. pic.twitter.com/uOrFTtePJe

— Bhandelomshini (@LunganiMhlong17) March 18, 2025

OoZelda just because they mastered iincanca ngeencanca at a very young age, would never understand when a young innocent girl is dickmatised. Dr Celiwe was dicktated into doing those things, she’s healing now.

— Field Marshall C…’embo (@RealMbombo) March 18, 2025

That is why academic validation will always win
A man will leave you but your degree won’t
Wishing her success
Dr Celiwe is a survivor! https://t.co/drXQ0yE63l

— God Thanks! (@misslollipop420) March 18, 2025

The way men and women are judging this woman. But the fact is there are so many of us women who have once been a Dr Celiwe Dada in a relationship/marriage, some still are. And many men exist that are like this guy. The difference is that she shared her story openly and boldly. pic.twitter.com/ntEC1trl7g

— EchoChamberBreaker💋 (@KingAnicka56516) March 18, 2025

I love Dr. Celiwe Dada’s self awareness, accountability and aura. She seems like a really genuine person at heart. ❤️

— Loide Amukwa (@Loide_Amukwa) March 18, 2025

Other commentators say her story is proof that love, abuse and heartache doesn’t discriminate. They also emphasised the need for financial literacy to assist young people in making sober financial decisions.